Evangel's Emily Akins drives around a defender during their game against Graceland on Saturday afternoon. Mark Schiefelbein for the News-Leader

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A storyline this time last year for the Evangel University women's basketball team appeared eye-opening enough: former Kickapoo High School standout Amanda Landholt and Emily Akins, a standout at Parkview, had to make a successful jump from the prep ranks.

Now a year later, the storyline has shifted dramatically. Despite being only sophomores, leadership is a running theme - and for good reason.

The curtain rises on the season Saturday at Oklahoma City University, the defending national champion of NAIA Division I and ranked No. 10 in the preseason. Also on the schedule this month are No. 9 ...